o internal exile in far off parts of the empire. Others were condemned to death their families and servants often killed as well. Ivan would give detailed orders about the executions, using biblically inspired tortures to reconstruct the sufferings of hell. More than 3,000 people were killed in Ivan's attack on Novgorod during Livonian War. In a fit of rage, Ivan struck his son and heir dead with his staff. Mad with sorrow and guilt, he had a dramatic volte face, posthumously forgiving all those he'd executed and paying for prayers to be said for their souls. Before his death, Ivan was re-christened as the monk Jonah and buried in his monk's habit. In the hope of finding ultimate forgiveness. After noteIvan's achievements were many. He forced Russia into Europe. The prolonged and unsuccessful Livonian War overextended the state's resources and helped bring Russia to the verge of economic collapse. These factors, together with Tatar incursions, resulted in the depopulation of a number of Russian provinces by the time of Ivan's death in 1584. Nevertheless, he left Russia far more centralized both administratively and culturally than it had been previously. Ivan encouraged Russia's cultural development, especially through printing. He himself wrote well, most his surviving writings are mainly political, his choice of words and his biting sarcasm were very unprofessional....
